PRIMER for VOTERS 

NEW YORK EDITION 


9 







PRIMER FOR VOTERS 

NEW YORK EDITION 


COMPILED 

BY 

MARTHA GfSTAPLER 

% % 



NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE PUBLISHING CO., Inc. 
171 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. 



Copyright, 1911 
Copyright, 1914 
Copyright, 1915 
Copyright, 1918 


By 

MARTHA G. STAPLER 


Published January, 1918 



FEB -4 1318 

©CI.A492J 80 


, I 



CONTENTS 


Division Page 

(I) Voting Regulations in New York State. 5 

Elections Held. 5 

Qualifications of Voters. 7 

Registration of Voters for Elections. 7 

Party Enrollment of Voters. 9 

Election Districts; Polling Places; Ballots. 10 

Form of Ballot for Public Officers. 10 

General Directions for Casting a Vote. 11 

Sample Ballot . 13 

(II) Elections . 14 

United States Presidential Election. 14 

The General Election (New York State). 15 

Fall Primary Elections; Spring Primary Elections 

(New York State). 17 

Local Elections (New York State). 19 

(III) Nomination of Candidates. 21 

Nomination of Party Candidates for the National 

Presidential Election . 21 

Nomination of Party and Independent Candidates for 

Elective Public Offices in New York State. 21 

Designation of Candidates for Fall and Spring Primary 

Elections. 22 

(IV) Departments and Officers of New York State 

Government . 24 

Constitutional Amendments; Constitutional Convention 30 

(V) Officers of New York County, City, Town and 

Village Government . 32 

(VI) Departments and Officers of New York City 

Government . 35 

(VII) Citizenship; Naturalization . 44 

(VIII) General Election Chart. 47 

Index . 48 





























PRIMER FOR VOTERS 


Division I 

VOTING REGULATIONS IN NEW YORK STATE 

Elections Held 

Two kinds of elections are held under the provisions of 
the New York State Election Law—general elections and 
official primary elections. 

A general election is an election at which voters elect 
public officers and vote upon public questions; an official 
primary election is an election at which the enrolled mem¬ 
bers of a political party nominate party candidates for 
public office, or elect members of party committees. 

The following are the general and the official primary 
elections held: 

(1) General Elections 

An election, called the General Election, is held annually 
throughout the State on the Tuesday after the first Monday 
in November. At this election, in various years, certain 
national, state, county, city, town and village officers are 
elected, and, when necessary, proposed Constitutional 
Amendments and Public Questions are submitted to popu¬ 
lar vote. 

A Special Election is held when necessary to fill a 
vacancy in public office, or to submit a proposed Constitu¬ 
tional Amendment or Public Question to popular vote. 

In cities of the first and second class, and in some cities 
of the third class, city elective officers are elected at the 
General Election, for various terms . 1 In the remaining 


1 Cities of the first class number a population over 175,000; those of the 
second class from 50,000 to 175,000; those of the third class less than 50,000. 





6 


cities of the third class they are elected at biennial City 
Elections. 

Town Meetings are held biennially for the election of 
town officers and to submit town questions to popular vote. 
(When not elected at Town Meetings, town officers are 
elected at the General Election.) 

Village Elections are held annually for the election of 
village officers and to submit village questions to popular 
vote. (When not elected at Village Elections, village 
officers are elected at the General Election.) 

School District Meetings are held at appointed times for 
the election of school officers and to submit school questions 
to popular vote. 

(2) Official Primary Elections 

The seventh Tuesday before the General Election is Fall 
Primary Day. On this day political parties hold official 
primary elections, called Fall Party Primary Elections. 

At a Fall Party Primary Election party candidates are 
nominated for public offices to be filled at the General 
Election, and members of Party Committees are elected. 

Candidates may be nominated for all offices to be filled at 
the General Election, except for the office of Presidential 
Elector, and except for town, village and school district 
offices. 

The first Tuesday in April, in the year of a Presidential 
Election, is Spring Primary Day. On this day political 
parties hold additional primary elections called Spring 
Party Primary Elections. 

At a Spring Party Primary Election delegates and alter¬ 
nates to the National Party Convention and members of 
Party Committees are elected . 1 

Unofficial primary elections are held under party regula¬ 
tions, and are not subject to the provisions of the Election 
Law. 

1 In the year of a Presidential Election members of Party Committees are 
elected at the Spring instead of at the Fall Primary. 



Qualifications of Voters 1 


Only those persons are qualified to vote at an election who 
have been registered as qualified voters of an election dis¬ 
trict in which the election is held. 2 

A qualified voter is a citizen (1) who is, or will be on the 
day of election twenty-one years of age, (2) who has been 
an inhabitant of the state for one year preceding the elec¬ 
tion, (3) who has been a resident of the county for the last 
four months, (4) and who has been a resident of the election 
district (in which it is intended to vote) for the last thirty 
days. If a naturalized citizen, 3 the voter, in addition to the 
foregoing qualifications, must have become naturalized at 
least ninety days prior to the day of the election. 

A woman who is a citizen by marriage must have been 
an inhabitant of the United States for five years before 
being entitled to vote. 

To be entitled to vote at an official primary election, a 
person must be an enrolled member of the political party 
holding the election, and must be qualified to vote on the 
day of the election. 4 

To be entitled to vote at a Village Election, a person must 
have certain qualifications, in addition to the usual quali¬ 
fications of a voter. 5 

To be entitled to vote at a School District Meeting, a 
person must have certain qualifications. 6 

Registration of Voters for Elections 7 

For election purposes cities and towns are divided into 
election districts. 8 

1 As revised by the granting of suffrage to women at the General Elec¬ 
tion, 1917. See Laws of New York, Season 1917, Vol. 3, page 2784. 

2 No registration is required for town or village elections, except as pro¬ 
vided by Town or Village Law, and except when the election is held at the 
time of the General Election. 

3 Naturalization, see page 45. 

4 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Sec. 71. 

5 Qualifications to vote at Village Elections, page 19. 

6 Qualifications to vote at a School District Meeting, page 20. 

7 Source of Reference: The Election Law: Secs. 150, 151, 154, 155, 158, 
159, 161, 162, 174. 

8 Election Districts, page 10. 





8 


Meetings are held annually in each district for the reg¬ 
istration of the voters residing within the district. These 
Meetings are held on appointed days several weeks prior 
to the General Election, at an appointed place in each 
district, by the Election Inspectors of the district. 

At the Meetings for Registration in each district, a 
register is compiled containing the name, address, occupa¬ 
tion, etc., of every voter residing within the district. 

A person is entitled to be registered as a voter of his 
district if he will be qualified to vote at the election for 
which registration is made. 

In cities and villages of over five thousand inhabitants, 
only those may be registered who appear personally at a 
Meeting for Registration. 

When an election district is situated wholly outside a city 
or village of over five thousand inhabitants, the Election 
Inspectors register voters as follows: 

On the first day of Registration, they register the names 
of those who voted at the last General Election, as shown 
by the election poll book (except the names of those who 
are no longer voters of the district). On the first and 
second days of Registration they register those who appear 
before them and are qualified to be registered. They also 
register the names of those not registered under the fore¬ 
going provisions who are shown to be entitled to vote at the 
election. 

If a Special Election is called, additional meetings for 
registration are held at an appointed time in those election 
districts where the election is to be held. 

A naturalized citizen before being registered, if so re¬ 
quired by the Inspectors, must show his naturalization 
papers or a certified copy. If he cannot for any reason 
produce his naturalization papers or a certified copy he 
must give evidence of his right to be registered. 

Registration for Town or Village Elections 

No registration of voters is required for town or village 
elections, except as provided by Town or Village Law, and 


9 


except when the election is held at the time of the General 
Election. 

Change of Residence 1 

A person who has been registered, and who changes his 
place of residence within the same election district, may 
state his change of residence to the Election Inspectors on 
a day of registration, or on a day of election. 

Party Enrollment of Voters 2 

To be entitled to vote at a party official primary election, 
a person must have been enrolled as a member of the politi¬ 
cal party holding the election. 

Party Enrollment is made on a day of registration, or on 
Election day. When personal registration is required, en¬ 
rollment is made on a day of registration. When personal 
registration is not required, enrollment is made after voting 
at an election. 

A person who has enrolled as a member of a political 
party, may not enroll as a member of any other political 
party before the first day of the next registration, except in 
the following case: 

A person who has been an enrolled member of the same 
political party for five years, and who by mistake enrolls 
with a different political party, may have this enrollment 
cancelled by applying to the Custodian of Primary Records, 
and may again be enrolled with his Party. 

A person who becomes of age after the General Election 
has been held, may enroll as a member of a political party, 
on, or before, the fourth Tuesday preceding an official 
primary election. This special enrollment is made by 
signing a Statement Blank, supplied by the Custodian of 
Primary Records. 


1 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Sec. 165. 

2 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Secs. 8, 9, 19, 14 (a-b). 




10 


Election Districts; Polling Places; Ballots 1 

Cities and towns are divided into election districts. Each 
district contains about four hundred voters. 

There is an appointed Polling Place in each district, 
where the electors of the district vote at a General Election. 

Before Fall or Spring Primary Day, cities and towns are 
divided into primary election districts. There are ap¬ 
pointed Polling Places in each district. 

Five kinds of ballots are used at general elections: (1) 
ballot for presidential electors; (2) ballot for general public 
officers; (3) ballot upon constitutional amendments and 
questions submitted; (4) ballot upon town propositions, 
and (5) ballot upon town appropriations. 

At an official primary election a party primary ballot is 
used. 


Form of Ballot for Public Officers 

The following is the form of ballot used at the General 
Election for the election of public officers : 2 

The Ballot is printed in sections. At the head of each 
section is the title of an office which is to be filled at the 
election. Beneath the title of each office is a list of candi¬ 
dates for the office. At the left of each candidate’s name is 
the emblem of his Party, 3 together with a voting square. 
At the right of each candidate’s name is the title of his 
Party. If two Political Parties have nominated the same 
candidate, the emblem of each Party is printed at the 
left of the candidate’s name, and the title of each Party 
is printed at the right. At the bottom of each section is a 
blank line. 

A candidate whose name is printed upon the ballot is 
voted for by making a mark X in the voting square at the 
left of his name. 3 


1 Wherever authorized, voting machines are used at elections. 

2 Except for the election of Presidential Electors. 

3 Or of the Independent Body which has nominated him. 




11 


A person whose name is not printed upon the Ballot, may 
be voted for by writing his name upon the blank line under 
the title of the office to which it is wished to elect him. 1 

See General Election Ballot (Pages 12 and 13). 

General Directions for Casting a Vote 2 

A person, on entering the Polling Place to vote at an 
election, gives his name and residence to the Election 
Inspectors. If his right to vote is not challenged, one of the 
Ballot Clerks gives him a ballot (or set of ballots). He 
then enters a voting booth to mark his ballot, or ballots, 
(At the head of each ballot are instructions for marking it.) 
After marking it, he folds it, and gives it to the Inspector 
in charge of the ballot box. 

(If he should spoil his ballot, or set of ballots, he may 
obtain others, not exceeding three sets, from the Ballot 
Clerk.) 


1 Instructions for marking a ballot for general officers, The Election Law, 
Sec. 331. 

2 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Secs. 356, 358, 359. 




OFFICIAL 

THE GENERAL 



2 LIEUTENANT COVERNOR (V«U for om). 



THOMAS e. LOCK WOOD. DviMcraUc 


EDWARD SCHOEWeCIC. 


CHAUNCEV J. HAMLM.Rv*c*cmJv« 


STEPHEN X MAHONEY.S«UU*l 


CHARLES e. WELCH.Pr«MWlk*o 


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CUOENE M. TRAVIS. 


JOHN ft. BURNHAM. 


CHARLES W. NOONAN.. .. .U(UM»* 


NEIL D. CRANMER.. 


CHARLES C. BERNS.S~UI UUr 


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TREASURER (VoM for ofc«). 




ALBERT C CARR. 




JAMES L WELLS. 




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JAMES C. SHEAKAN... 


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SAMPLE BALLOT 

ELECTION BALLOT* 


g ASSOCIATE JUDGE 07 THE COU&T OF 

APPEALS (Vou for on.). 

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SENATOR — Eighteenth Senate-District 
(Vote (or one). 



HENRY W. POLLOCK.( P*"!*™* 1 * 

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MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY — Seventeenth 
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Election of State Officers in 1914. 


13 
































































































































































































14 


Division II 

ELECTIONS 

United States Presidential Election 

The United States Constitution provides that the Presi¬ 
dent and Vice-President of the United States shall be 
elected by the vote of chosen electors. 

Each State is entitled to elect as many Presidential Elec¬ 
tors as it has Senators and Representatives in Congress. 

Each State elects its Electors at the general election held 
every fourth year on the Tuesday after the first Monday 
in November. 

The election of Electors is called a Presidential Election. 

The Electoral candidates of each political party are 
pledged, if elected, to vote for National Party candidates, 
for President and Vice-President. Thus the political party 
having the greatest number of Electoral candidates elected 
throughout the United States, at a Presidential Election, 
has won the election of its candidates for President and 
Vice-President. 

Some weeks after their election the Electors of each State 
meet, on an appointed day, at their State Capitol. At this 
meeting (called the Meeting of the Electoral College), each 
gives a vote in writing for a President and for a Vice- 
President. 

The Electoral votes from each State are transmitted to 
Washington, and there counted by the President of the 
Senate, in the presence of both Houses, and the names of 
the candidates elected as President and Vice-President 
announced. 

The next Presidential Election will take place in the year 

1920. 



Elections Held in the State of New York 


15 


I. The General Election 

The General Election is held annually throughout the 
State, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 
At this election, in various years, the following public 
officers are elected: (1) National Presidential Electors; (2) 
Certain New York State Executive Officers; (3) United 
States Senators from New York State; (4) Representatives 
in Congress from New York State; (5) New York State 
Senators; (6) New York State Assemblymen; (7) Judges 
of the New York State Court of Appeals; (8) Justices of 
the New York State Supreme Court; (9) Officers of the 
various Counties in New York State; (10) Officers of 
certain cities, towns and villages in New York State. 

At the General Election, in addition to the election of 
public officers, proposed Constitutional Amendments and 
Public Questions may be submitted to popular vote. 1 

Public Officers Elected at the General Election 

(1) Presidential Electors: Every fourth year the 
General Election falls upon the same day as the National 
Presidential Election. At this General Election forty-five 
Electors of President and Vice-President of the United 
States are elected by a state-wide vote. 

Each person voting at the election is entitled to vote for 
forty-five Electoral Candidates. The forty-five Candidates 
who receive the highest number of votes are elected Presi¬ 
dential Electors for the State of New York. 

(2) State Executive Officers: 2 The Governor, Lieu¬ 
tenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treas¬ 
urer, Attorney-General, and State Engineer are elected at 
the General Election each even-numbered year, for a term 
of office of two years. They are elected by a state-wide vote. 


1 Constitutional Amendments, page 30. 

2 State Executive Officers, page 24. 




16 


(3) United States Senators: The State is represented 

in the National Senate by two United States Senators. 
Each holds office for a term of six years. 

A United States Senator is elected, by a state-wide vote, 
at the General Election which precedes the expiration of 
term of a holder of office. 

The terms of those in office expire in the years 1921 and 
1923. 

(4) United States Representatives: 1 The State is 
divided, at present, into forty-three Congressional Districts. 
At the General Election, each even-nnmber year, the voters 
of each District elect a United States Representative for a 
term of office of two years. 

(5) State Senators: 2 The State is divided into fifty- 
one Senatorial Districts. At the General Election, each 
even-numbered year, the voters of each District elect a State 
Senator for a term of office of two years. 

(6) Members of the Assembly: 2 The State is divided 
into one hundred and fifty Assembly Districts. Annually 
at the General Election, the voters of each District elect 
a Member of the Assembly for a term of office of one year. 

(7) State Judiciary: 3 There are seven Judges of the 
Court of Appeals. Each is elected at a General Election, 
by a state-wide vote, for a term of office of fourteen years. 
(Terms expire in various years.) 

The State is divided into nine Judicial Districts. An 
allotted number of Justices are elected to the Supreme 
Court by the voters of each District, for a term of office of 
fourteen years. (Terms expire in various years.) 

Judges and Justices are elected at the General Election 
which precedes the expiration of term of holders of office. 

1 Representation in the House of Representatives is upon the basis of 
population. 

2 Members of the State Legislature, page 29. 

* State Judiciary, page 30. 



17 


(8) County Officers: 1 The Executive and Judicial 
Officers of each county are elected at General Elections, by 
a county-wide vote. The term of Executive Officers is three 
years; the term of Judicial Officers is six years. 

(Members of the County Board of Supervisors are 
usually elected at Town Meetings.) 

(9) Local Officers: In all cities of the first and second 
class, and in some cities of the third class, elective city 
officers are elected at the General Election, in odd-numbered 
years, for various terms of office. 1 2 * Town and village elec¬ 
tive officers may also be elected at the General Election. 8 


11. Fall Party Primary Elections; S pring Party 

Primary Elections 

Political Parties hold official primary elections on the 
seventh Tuesday before the General Election. These elec¬ 
tions are called Fall Party Primary Elections. 

At a Fall Party Primary Election party candidates are 
nominated for public offices to be filled at the General 
Election and members of Party Committees are elected. 

Candidates may be nominated for all public offices to be 
filled at the General Election, except for the office of Presi¬ 
dential Elector, and except for town, village and school 
district offices. 

Political Parties hold additional official primary elections 
on the first Tuesday in April, in the year of a Presidential 
Election. These elections are called Spring Party Primary 
Elections. 

At a Spring Party Primary Election delegates and 
alternates to the National Party Convention and members 
of Party Committees are elected. 

1 County Officers, page 32. 

2 City Officers, page 32. 

* Town and Village Officers, page 33. 





18 


Nomination of Party Candidates 

Party candidates for the General Election are nominated 
at the Fall Party Primary Election in the following way: 

The party primary ballot contains the titles of the 
public offices which are to be filled at the General Election. 
Beneath the title of each office is a list of persons who are 
candidates for nomination as Party Candidate for the 
office. The candidate for nomination for an office who 
receives the highest number of votes is chosen, or nomi¬ 
nated, as Party candidate for the office. 


Election of Members of Party Committees 1 

Party committees are the State Committee, County Com¬ 
mittees, and such other committees as the rules of the Party 
may provide. The Election Law requires that the members 
of the Party State Committee, and the members of Party 
County Committees be elected at the Fall or Spring 
Primary of the Party. 

A Party State Committee is formed by the election of one 
member from each Assembly District. Members are elected 
in even-numbered years (1918, 1920, etc.), to hold office 
two years, and are elected at the Fall Primary, except in 
the year of a Presidential Election, when they are elected 
at the Spring Primary. 

A Party County Committee is formed by the election in 
each election district within the county of at least one mem¬ 
ber, and of whatever number of additional members the 
Party may provide for, in proportion to the party vote cast 
in the district for Governor at the last election or in accord¬ 
ance with other provisions. Members are elected annually 
at the Fall Primary, except in the year of a Presidential 
Election when they are elected at the Spring Primary. 2 

1 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Secs. 36, 37, 38 (as amended). 

2 Members of other Committees are chosen according to Party Regula¬ 
tions. 



19 


Elections of Delegates to a National Party Convention 1 

The rules of each Party may provide that delegates and 
alternates to a National Party Convention be elected from 
Congressional Districts, or partly from Congressional 
Districts and partly from the State at large. (Not more 
than four delegates and four alternates may be elected from 
the State at large.) 


Local Elections 


City Elections 

In cities of the first and second class, and in some cities 
of the third class, city elective officers are elected at the 
General Election. In the remaining cities of the third class 
they are elected at City Elections, held at times set by City 
Charters. The terms of city officers vary. The Mayor and 
the Chief Executive Officers are elected by a city-wide vote. 
Members of the City Legislature are elected by wards or 
at large. Elective City Judges are elected by district vote 
or at large. 2 

Town Meetings 

Town elections, called Town Meetings, are held biennially 
for the election of town officers and to submit town ques¬ 
tions to popular vote. The majority of Town Meetings are 
held on the third Tuesday in March. If not elected at 
Town Meetings, town officers are elected biennially at the 
General Election. 3 

Village Elections 

(Qualifications of Voters) 

Village Elections are held annually for the election of 
village officers and to submit village questions to popular 
vote. The majority of Village Elections are held on the 
third Tuesday in March. If not elected at Village Elec¬ 
tions, village officers are elected at the General Election. 4 

1 National Party Convention, page 21. 

2 City Officers, page 32. 

3 Town Officers, page 33. 

4 Village Officers, page 34. 




20 


To vote at the Village Election, of a village having less 
than 5,000 inhabitants, a person must have the following 
qualifications: (1) To be entitled to vote for an officer, he 
must be qualified to vote at a Town Meeting of the town¬ 
ship in which he resides, and must have resided in the 
village thirty days preceding the election. (2) To be en¬ 
titled to vote upon propositions, he must be entitled to vote 
for an officer, and he must also be the owner of property 
in the village, assessed upon the preceding assessment-roll. 1 

School District Meetings 
(Qualifications of Voters) 

The State is divided into School Districts. A Meeting is 
held, at a certain time, in each District. At this Meeting, 
school officers are elected and school questions are voted 
upon. 

The Education Law provides that any person is entitled 
to vote at a School District Meeting, who is a citizen of the 
United States, who is twenty-one years of age, who has been 
a resident within the school district for thirty days preced¬ 
ing the Meeting, and who, in addition, has one of the 
following qualifications: (a) Owns or hires, or possesses 
under contract of purchase, real property in the district 
liable to taxation for school purposes; or, (b) is the parent 
of a child of school age, who has attended the district school 
for at least eight weeks during the year preceding the 
Meeting; or, (c) has residing with him, or her, a child of 
school age, who has attended the district school for at least 
eight weeks during the year preceding the Meeting; or, (d) 
owns personal property, assessed upon the preceding assess¬ 
ment roll of the town, exceeding fifty dollars. 2 


1 Source of Reference: Village Law, Sec. 41. 

2 Source of Reference: Education Law, Sec. 203. 



21 


Division III 

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIONS 

Nomination of Party Candidates for the National 
Presidential Election 

Party candidates for the office of President and for the 
office of Vice-President of the United States are nominated 
at a National Party Convention, held in the summer pre¬ 
ceding the Presidential Election. 

A National Party Convention is composed of party dele¬ 
gates elected from the various States. Delegates from New 
York State to a National Party Convention are elected at 
the Spring Party Primary Election. 1 


Nomination of Party Candidates for Elective Public Offices 

in New York State 

Section forty-five of the Election Law, as amended in 
1914, provides that Party candidates for all public offices 
to be filled at the General Election (except for the office of 
Presidential Elector, and except for town, village and 
school district offices), are nominated at the preceding Fall 
Party Primary Election. 

Party candidates for the office of Presidential Elector are 
nominated by the Party State Committee, one for each 
Congressional District, and two at large. 2 

Party candidates for town and village elective offices, and 
for school district offices are nominated according to the 
regulations of the Party County Committee. 


1 Election of Delegates to a National Party Convention, page 19. 

2 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Sec. 54. 



22 


Nomination of Independent Candidates for Elective Public 

Offices in New York State 1 

An Independent candidate for an elective public office is 
nominated by the petition of certain voters, who sign an 
independent certificate of nomination in his favor. 

The number of voters required to sign a certificate of 
nomination is fixed by the Election Law as follows: 

(1) The certificate of a candidate for a public office, to 
be voted for by all the voters of the State, must be signed 
by at least 6,000 voters of the State, provided that at least 
50 voters in each county sign. 

(2) The certificate of a candidate for a public office, to 
be voted for by the voters of any political subdivision of 
the State, 2 must be signed by a number of voters equalling 
five per centum of the total number of votes cast for Gov¬ 
ernor, at the last election, in the political subdivision; 
(provided, that not more than 3,000 signatures are required 
—and that not more than 1,500 signatures are required to 
make an independent nomination for a borough or county 
office). 

Designation of Candidates for Fall and Spring Primary 

Elections 3 

Candidates for nomination, or for election, whose names 
are upon the Party primary ballot, at a Fall or Spring 
Party Primary Election, must have been previously selected 
by means of petitions for designation. 

The Election Law provides that a petition for a candi¬ 
date’s designation is required to be signed by a certain 
number of enrolled Party voters residing within the politi¬ 
cal subdivision, or unit of representation, 4 for which the 
Party nomination or election is to be made. The number 

1 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Sec. 122 (as amended). 

2 The term “political subdivision” means a political district, as for in¬ 
stance, an Assembly District. 

8 Source of Reference: The Election Law, Secs. 4(5, 48 (as amended). 

4 The term “unit of representation” means a political subdivision which 
is the unit from which members of a party committee or delegates to a 
party convention are elected. 



23 


of enrolled voters who sign a petition must equal not less 
than three per centum of the total number of enrolled Party 
voters residing within the political subdivision, or unit of 
representation; provided that for the following offices the 
number of signatures are not to exceed the following fixed 
limits: 

For the office of United States Senator or for an office to 
be filled by all the voters of the State, three thousand 
signatures. 

For the office of Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge of 
the Court of General Sessions, or Judge of the City Court 
(New York City), fifteen hundred signatures. 

For an office to be filled by all the voters of a city, con¬ 
taining more than a million inhabitants, fifteen hundred 
signatures. 

For an office to be filled by all the voters of a city of the 
first class containing less than a million inhabitants, one 
thousand signatures. 

For an office to be filled by all the voters of a county, or 
of a borough, containing more than 250,000 inhabitants, 
one thousand signatures. 

For an office to be filled by all the voters of a county or 
borough, containing more than 25,000 and not over 250,000 
inhabitants, or of a city of the second class, or of a Con¬ 
gressional, or Senatorial District, five hundred signatures. 

For an office to be filled by all the voters of a county, 
containing less than 25,000 inhabitants, or of a city of the 
third class, or of an assembly district, two hundred and 
fifty signatures. 


U 


Division IV 

DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS OF NEW YORK 

STATE GOVERNMENT* 

The departments of the State Government are: (1) The 
Executive Department; (2) The Legislative Department; 
(3) The Judicial Department. 

The Executive Department 

(1) Executive Officers. (2) Administrative Officers, Boards, 

and Commissioners. 

State Executive Officers are the following: The Governor, 
Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, 
Treasurer, Attorney - General, State Engineer and Sur¬ 
veyor. 1 2 

They are elected biennially at the General Election, by a 
state-wide vote. They take office on the first of January 
following their election, for a term of office of two years. 

The next election of State Executive Officers will take 
place in November, 1918. 

The Governor 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Governor as Chief Executive of the State has in 
general the following powers and duties: (1) He communi¬ 
cates by message to the Legislature at each Session the 
condition of the State, and recommends what measures he 
considers advisable to be passed. (2) He has power to veto 
any bill which has been passed by the Legislature in 

1 General Sources of Reference: New York Legislative Manuel, 1917. 
Legislative Session Laws, 1917. 

a The Office of Engineer and Surveyor are held by the same person. 




25 


which case, the bill cannot become a law unless it is re¬ 
passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses. (3) When he 
finds it necessary, he may convene the Legislature in 
Special Session. (4) He has power to appoint a number of 
State Administrative Officers, 1 with the consent of the 
Senate. (5) He also has power to appoint the members of 
certain important Commissions. (6) He acts as ex-officio 
member of several Commissions and Boards. 2 

He receives an annual salary of $10,000. 

Lieutenant-Governor 

(Duties; Salary) 

If the office of Governor becomes vacant, the Lieutenant- 
Governor succeeds to it. It is his duty to act as President 
of the Senate. He is a Commissioner of the Canal Fund 
and of the Land Office, and a member of the Canal Board 
and State Board of Equalization. 

He receives an annual salary of $5,000. 

Secretary of State 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Secretary of State keeps the State records, and 
superintends the publication of laws. He makes an annual 
report to the Legislature upon special subjects. He issues 
patents for lands and grants certain licenses. He is a 
Commissioner of the Canal Fund and of the Land Office, 
and a member of the Canal Board, the State Board of 
Canvassers and the State Board of Equalization. 

He receives an annual salary of $6,000. 

Comptroller 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Comptroller has charge of the fiscal affairs of the 
State. He is ex-officio a member of the State Board of 


1 Officers appointed by Governor, page 27. 

2 State Boards, pages 28 and 29. 



26 


Canvassers, the State Board of Equalization, and the Canal 
Board, and he is also a Commissioner of the Canal Fund, 
and of the Land Office. 

He receives an annual salary of $8,000. 

Treasurer 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Treasurer has charge of moneys paid into the State 
Treasury. He is a Commissioner of the Land Office and of 
the Canal Fund, and a member of the Canal Board, State 
Board of Canvassers, and State Board of Equalization. 

He receives an annual salary of $6,000. 

Attorney-General 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Attorney-General has charge of the legal affairs of 
the State. He is a Commissioner of the Land Office and of 
the Canal Fund, and is a member of the Canal Board, State 
Board of Canvassers, and State Board of Equalization. 

He receives an annual salary of $10,000. 

State Engineer and Surveyor 

(Duties; Salary) 

The State Engineer and Surveyor has charge of State 
engineering work, except that upon highways. He is a 
Commissioner of the Land Office, a member of the Canal 
Board, State Board of Canvassers, and State Board of 
Equalization. 

He receives an annual salary of $8,000. 

Administrative Officers, Boards and Commissions 1 

A number of administrative officers, boards and com¬ 
missions aid in carrying on the work of the Executive 


1 Only a brief list is given here.. 



27 


Department. Among those appointed by the Governor, the 
following are important. They are appointed with the 
consent of the Senate: 


Certain Administrative Officers Appointed by the Governor 


Commissioner of Agriculture. 

State Architect. 

Superintendent of Banks. 

Fiscal Supervisor of State Charities 
Three State Civil Service Commis¬ 
sioners 1 .".. 

Conservation Commissioner.. 

State Superintendent of Elections.. 
Commissioner of Foods & Markets. 

Commissioner of Health. 

Commissioner of Highways. 

Superintendent of Insurance. 

Superintendent of State Prisons. .. 
Health Officer, Port of New York.. 
Superintendent of Public Works 2 .. 

Superintendent of Police. 

Three State Tax Commissioners.... 


Term 

3 yrs. 

1 

Salary 

$8,000 

¥ear when 
appointed 

1915 

3 

< i 

10,000 

1917 

3 

t ( 

10,000 

1914 

5 

(< 

6,000 

1914 

6 

( i 

5,000 


6 

< < 

8,000 

1915 

4 

< < 

5,000 

1916 

6 

i i 

6,000 


6 

11 

8,000 

1914 

5 

< < 

10,000 

1915 

3 

i i 

10,000 

1915 

5 

(t 

6,000 

1916 

4 

( i 

12,500 

1916 

• • 

l c 

8,000 

1917 

5 

11 

5,000 


3 

i ( 

6,000 

1915, 

1916,1917 


State Industrial Commission: This Commission is at 
the head of the Department of Labor. It consists of five 
members. The term of each is to be six years (except that 
the term of those first appointed are to expire one in the 
year 1917, and one in each year following). Each Com¬ 
missioner receives a salary of $8,000. 

To advise the Commission there is an Industrial Council, 
consisting of ten members appointed by the Governor. Five 
members of the Council represent the interests of employees, 
and five represent the interest of employers. 3 

1 Terms expire February, 1919, 1921, 1923. Salary of Chairman $5,000, of 
others $4,000. 

2 Holds office during term of Governor, who appointed him. 

* The Members of the Council are to receive no compensation. 















28 


Board of Regents: This Board, consisting of twelve 
Regents, is at the head of the Department of Education. 
One Regent is elected annually by the Legislature, for a 
term of twelve years. A Commissioner of Education, who 
has supervision of public education throughout the State, 
is elected by the Board of Regents. His salary is $10,000. 

Public Service Commissions: 1 The State is divided 
into two districts. The first includes the counties of New 
York, Kings, Queens and Richmond. The second includes 
the remaining counties of the State. There is a Commission 
for each district, consisting of five Commissioners, ap¬ 
pointed by the Governor, for a term of five years. The 
salary of each Commissioner is $15,000. 

Court of Claims: It is composed of three Judges, ap¬ 
pointed by the Governor. The salary of each is $8,000. 

State Board of Charities: There are twelve members. 
Each is appointed by the Governor for a term of eight 
years. One is appointed from each Judicial District of the 
State, and three additional members from New York City. 

State Commission of Prisons: There are seven Com¬ 
missioners. Each is appointed by the Governor for a term 
of four years. 

State Board of Equalization: The members are: Com¬ 
missioners of the Land Office and the Tax Commissioners. 
(This Board regulates tax assessments.) 

State Hospital Commission: Three members, appointed 
by the Governor for a term of six years. 

Canal Board: Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, 
Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney-General, State Engineer, 
Superintendent of Public Works. 

1 Commissioners have supervision of transportation, light, heat and power 
companies. 



29 


State Board of Canvassers: Secretary of State, Comp¬ 
troller, Treasurer, Attorney-General, State Engineer. 

Commissioners of the Land Office: Lieutenant- 
Governor, Speaker of Assembly, Secretary of State, Comp¬ 
troller, Treasurer, Attorney-General, State Engineer. 

The Legislative Department 


The Legislature 

The State Legislature is composed of the Senate and the 
Assembly. These Houses pass bills which become State 
laws. 

The Legislature holds an annual Session, which begins 
on the first Wednesday in January. The Governor may 
convene the Legislature in Special Session. 

(1) The Senate 

The Senate is composed of fifty-one Senators. 

The State is divided into fifty-one Senatorial Districts. 
At the same General Election at which the Governor is 
elected, a State Senator is elected by the voters of each 
District, for a term of office of two years. 

The Lieutenant-Governor acts as President of the Senate. 

Each Senator receives an annual salary of $1,500. 

(2) The Assembly 

The Assembly is composed of one hundred and fifty 
Members. 

The State is divided into one hundred and fifty Assembly 
Districts. At each General Election one Member of the 
Assembly is elected by the voters of each District, for a 
term of office of one year. 

The presiding officer of the Assembly, called the Speaker, 
is chosen by the Members of the Assembly. 

Each Member receives an annual salary of $1,500. 



30 


Judicial Department 


State Courts 

(I) The Court of Appeals 

This Court has a Chief Judge and six Associate Judges, 
each of whom is elected by a state-wide vote, at a General 
Election, for a term of office of fourteen years. Terms 
expire in different years. When an office is about to be¬ 
come vacant, a successor to the office is elected at the pre¬ 
ceding General Election. 

The Chief Justice receives an annual salary of $14,200. 
Each Associate Judge receives an annual salary of $13,700. 

(11) Supreme Court 

This Court has one hundred and seven Justices. 

The State is divided into nine Judicial Districts. An 
allotted number of Justices are elected by the voters of 
each District, for a term of office of fourteen years. Terms 
expire in different years. When an office is about to become 
vacant, a successor to the office is elected at the preceding 
General Election. 

Justices of the First and Second Districts receive an 
annual salary of $17,500, while those of the other Districts 
an annual salary each of $10,000. 

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court 

The State is divided into four Judicial Departments. In 
each Department there is held an Appellate Division of the 
Supreme Court. The Governor chooses a number of 
Supreme Court Justices to serve as Judges of the Appellate 
Division. 


Constitutional Amendments 1 

An Amendment to the State Constitution is proposed in 
the Senate and Assembly. If a majority of the members of 
each House are in favor of it, the Amendment is referred 


1 Source of Reference: New York State Constitution: Article XIV., Sec. 1. 





31 


to the Legislature to be elected at the next General Election 
of Senators. 

If this Legislature also approves it, by a majority vote of 
the members of each house, it is referred to popular vote 
at the next General Election. If a majority of voters 
approve the Amendment, it becomes a part of the Constitu¬ 
tion the first of January following. 

Constitutional Convention 1 

The Constitution provides that every twentieth year, or 
at such times as the Legislature may set, the question shall 
be submitted to popular vote whether there shall be a 
Convention to revise and amend the Constitution. If a 
majority of voters are in favor, a Convention is held. 

Delegates to the Convention are elected as follows: Three 
Delegates are elected by the voters of each Senate District, 
and fifteen Delegates are elected by a state-wide vote. 

The Constitution proposed by the Convention is submit¬ 
ted to popular vote, and if approved, goes into effect on the 
first of January following. 


1 Source of Reference: New York State Constitution: Article XIV., Sec. 3. 



Division V 


OFFICERS OF NEW YORK COUNTY, CITY, TOWN 
AND VILLAGE GOVERNMENT 

Officers of County Government 

New York State is divided into sixty-two counties. 
County government is the same in all counties, except in 
those which are included within the boundaries of a city. 1 

County executive officers are: (1) The District Attorney; 
(2) County Treasurer; (3) County Clerk; (4) Superinten¬ 
dent of the Poor; (5) Sheriff, etc. They are elected at the 
General Election, by a county-wide vote, for a term of office 
of three years. 

The county legislative body is the Board of Supervisors 
which consists of members elected from the towns of the 
county. (The voters of each town, usually at a Town 
Meeting, elect a Supervisor for a term of office of two 
years.) The Board has charge of public property, and 
raises money for county purposes, etc. 

In each county there is a County Court. The Judge of 
this Court is elected at the General Election, by a county¬ 
wide vote, for a term of office of six years. In nearly all 
counties there is a Surrogate’s Court. The Surrogate is 
also elected at the General Election, by a county-wide vote, 
for a term of office of six years. In some counties the office 
of Judge and Surrogate are held by one person. 

Officers of City Government 

Few cities in the State have exactly the same officers of 
government. 

1 When a county is included within city boundaries only certain officers 
are retained. 





33 


City executive officers are in general the following: (1) 
The Mayor, City Clerk, Comptroller, Treasurer, Corpora¬ 
tion Counsel, etc., and (2) City Commissioners (such as 
Commissioner of Health, Charities, Streets, Police), and 
(3) Members of City Boards. 

The Mayor is elected by the people, by a city-wide vote. 
The other executive officers are elected or appointed accord¬ 
ing to the provisions of the City Charter. 

The City Legislature may consist of one body—the Board 
of Aldermen, or it may consist of two bodies—the Common 
Council and the Board of Aldermen. Members of the 
Legislature are usually elected by the voters of City Dis¬ 
tricts or Wards. 

Judges of City Courts are elected or appointed according 
to the provisions of the City Charter. 

(The terms of city offices vary in different cities.) 

Certain cities may adopt a simplified form of govern¬ 
ment. The city executive and legislative powers may be 
held by a Council, composed of the Mayor and several 
Councilmen elected by a city-wide vote. In some cities the 
Council may appoint a chief executive officer called the City 
Manager. 


Officers of Town Government 

Each county is divided into a number of towns or town¬ 
ships. 

The governing body of a town is the Town Meeting. It 
is usually held biennially for the election of town Executive 
Officers and Justices of the Peace, and to submit town 
questions to popular vote. 

Town Executive Officers are in general the following: 
(1) The Supervisor (in charge of town finances, and repre¬ 
sents the town as a Member of the County Board of Super¬ 
visors) ; (2) Town Clerk; (3) Tax Collector; (4) Assessors; 
(5) Overseers of the Poor; (6) Superintendent of High¬ 
ways, etc. 



34 


Officers of Village Government 

The governing body of a village is the Board of Trustees, 
which consists of the Village President and several Mem¬ 
bers. This Board passes by-laws for village government— 
has charge of village property—raises money for village 
purposes, etc. 

Village officers in general are the following: (1) Treas¬ 
urer; (2) Clerk; (3) Collector; (4) Assessors; (5) Street 
Commissioners; (6) Fire, Water and Light Commissioners; 
(7) Police Justice. There is a Village Board of Health 
appointed by the Board of Trustees. 

The President, Trustees, Treasurer, Collector, Assessors, 
and Police Justice are elected at the Village Election. The 
Treasurer may be appointed or elected. All other officers 
are appointed by the Board of Trustees. 



35 


Division VI 

DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICERS OF NEW YORK 

CITY GOVERNMENT 1 

The departments of City Government are: (1) The 
Executive Department; (2) Administrative Departments; 
(Boards and Commissions) ; (3) The Legislative Depart¬ 
ment; (4) The Judicial Department. 

Election of City Officers 

At the General Election, each alternate odd-numbered 
year—the Mayor, the President of the Board of Aldermen, 
and the Comptroller are elected by a city-wide vote, for a 
term of office of four years. At the same General Election, 
a Borough President is elected by the voters of each Bor¬ 
ough, for a term of office of four years. 

At the General Election, each odd-numbered year, an 
Alderman is elected by the voters of each Aldermanic 
District, for a term of office of two years. 

Judges of the Court of General Sessions in New York 
County and County Judges in the other counties are elected 
by a county-wide vote at the General Election which occurs 
prior to the expiration of term of holders of office. The 
term of Judges of the Court of General Sessions is fourteen 
years, and that of County Judges six years. 

An allotted number of Municipal Court Justices are 
elected by the voters of each Municipal District, at the 
General Election which occurs prior to the expiration of 
the term of holders of office. Their term of office is ten 
years. 

1 General Sources of Reference: The City Charter; Municipal Year Book 
for the City of New York; Proposed Budget for 1918; Almanacs for 1917 
(sections on New York City Government). 



36 


Elective officers of the five Counties, (which are included 
within the boundaries of the City), are also elected at 
General Elections. They are elected in various years, for 
various terms of office. 

The last election of Mayor, President of the Board of 
Aldermen, Comptroller and Borough Presidents took place 
in November, 1917. 

Executive Department 
The Mayor 

(Duties; Salary) 

The Mayor takes office on the first of January following 
his election and holds office four years. As Chief Executive 
he has in general the following powers and duties: (1) He 
is responsible for the administration of all city depart¬ 
ments, except the Department of Finance. (2) He appoints 
the heads of all city departments, except the Comptroller, 
and he appoints certain commissioners and the members of 
certain boards. 1 (3) He is Chairman of the Board of Esti¬ 
mate and Apportionment and has three votes on the board. 
(4) He has power to veto bills passed by the State Legisla¬ 
ture affecting the City of New York, subject to the power 
of the Legislature to repass the same. He has power to 
veto ordinances and resolutions adopted by the Board of 
Aldermen, subject to the power of the Board to over-ride 
his veto by a two-thirds vote. (5) He is a member of vari¬ 
ous boards and commissions. 2 He receives an annual salary 
of $15,000. 

Borough Presidents 

(Duties; Salaries) 

The City is divided into five Boroughs—Manhattan, the 
Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Richmond. Each Borough 
has a Borough President, who is in charge of local affairs 
within the Borough, and who may appoint such local 

1 He also appoints Justices of the Court of Special Sessions and City 
Magistrates, prior to the expiration of term of holders of office. 

a For a fuller statement of the Mayor’s duties see the City Charter. 




37 


officers as a Commissioner of Public Works, etc. Borough 
Presidents are members of the Board of Aldermen, and of 
the Board of the Estimate and Apportionment. 

The Borough Presidents of Manhattan, the Bronx, and 
Brooklyn, receive an annual salary of $7,500 each—those 
of Queens and Richmond an annual salary of $5,000 each. 

Administrative Departments, Boards, Commissions 1 

9 

Department of Finance 

The Comptroller as the head of this department is one of 
the chief officers connected with city government. He is 
elected by a city-wide vote, at the same time as the Mayor, 
for a term of office of four years. 

He is a member of the Board of Estimate and Apportion¬ 
ment. He appoints the heads of the bureaus of the depart¬ 
ment, with the exception of the City Chamberlain. He 
receives an annual salary of $15,000. 

The department has eight bureaus: (1) Auditing 
Bureau; (2) Bureau of Accountancy; (3) Bureau of 
Municipal Investigation; (4) Bureau for Collection of City 
Revenue; (5) Bureau for Collection of Taxes; (6) Bureau 
for Collection of Assessments; (7) Bureau of Law and 
Adjustment; (8) Bureau of the City Chamberlain. 

The City Chamberlain is the City treasurer. He is ap¬ 
pointed by the Mayor, and receives an annual salary of 
$ 12 , 000 . 

Board of Estimate and Apportionment 

This Board is one of the most important bodies con¬ 
nected with city government. It prepares a budget of the 
amount required to cover city expenses during the year, 
and the amount to be apportioned to each department. This 
budget is submitted to the Board of Aldermen, which may 

1 There are additional Boards and Commissions not reviewed here. There 
are a great number of assistants and officials connected with the various 
departments. 



38 


decrease an apportionment, but may not increase it. 1 A 
decrease may be vetoed by the Mayor, and his veto can only 
be overriden by a three-fonrths vote of the Board of 
Aldermen. 

The Board also has charge of the granting of franchises. 

The Members of the Board are: The Mayor, Comptroller, 
President of the Board of Aldermen, and the five Borough 
Presidents. 

The vote of the Board has the following value: The 
Mayor, Comptroller, and President of the Board of Aider- 
men each has three votes; the Borough Presidents of 
Manhattan and of Brooklyn each has two votes; the Bor¬ 
ough Presidents of the Bronx, of Queens, and of Richmond 
each has one vote. 

Law Department 

The Corporation Counsel is at the head of the depart¬ 
ment. He is appointed by the Mayor for a term of office 
of four years. He is the legal advisor of all city officials, 
and is in charge of the law business of the City. He has 
power to appoint a great number of assistants. His 
annual salary is $15,000. 

Department of Health 

The Board of Health is at the head of the department. 
It is composed of the Health Commissioner, Police Com¬ 
missioner, and Health Officer of the Port of New York. 
The Health Commissioner is appointed by the Mayor. 
His annual salary is $7,500. 


Municipal Departments 

Other departments are: Department of Public Charities, 
Department of Correction, Department of Docks and Fer¬ 
ries, Fire Department, Department of Licenses, Depart¬ 
ment of Public Markets, Police Department, Department 

1 The Board may not decrease such amounts as are fixed by law, or are 
apportioned by the Board of Estimate for payment of State taxes, etc. (Sec. 
226, City Charter as amended). 



39 


of Plants and Structures, Department of Street Cleaning, 
Tenement House Department, Department of Taxes and 
Assessments, Department of Water Supply, Gas and 
Electricity. 

A Commissioner is at the head of each department ap¬ 
pointed by the Mayor. The majority of Commissioners 
receive an annual salary of $7,500. 

There is also a Departments of Parks at the head of 
which is a board of four Commissioners appointed by the 
Mayor. 

Department of Education 

The public school system is controlled by the Board of 
Education, which is at the head of the Department of 
Education. There are seven members on the Board, ap¬ 
pointed by the Mayor for terms of seven years without 
salary. 

Schools are under the supervision of a Board of Super¬ 
intendents, consisting of a Superintendent of Schools and 
eight Associate Superintendents, appointed by the Board of 
Education for six year terms. The Superintendent receives 
an annual salary of $10,000; each Associate Superinten¬ 
dent an annual salary of $6,500. 

The City is divided into school districts. District Superintendents 
are appointed by the Board of Education. They receive an annual 
salary of $5,000 each. In every school district there is a local School 
Board composed of: five members (appointed by the Borough 
President), a member of the Board of Education and the District 
Superintendent of that district. 

There is a Teachers * Council composed of representatives from 
teachers ’ organizations which is entitled to make recommendations as 
to the welfare of the schools and the teaching staff. 


Child Welfare Board: (Nine members appointed by the 
Mayor, two of whom must be women. Widows’ Pensions 
are administered by this board. Widowed mothers with 
children under sixteen years are granted allowances, so 
that the children may be cared for at home instead of being 
placed in institutions.) 


40 


Parole Commission: Five members, (three appointed 
by the Mayor) and the Commissioner of Correction, and the 
Police Commissioner. Salary of Chairman, $7,500; salary 
of two members, $5,500 each. 

Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: (The Mayor, 
Comptroller, Chamberlain, President of the Board of 
Aldermen and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the 
Board of Aldermen.) 

Commissioner of Accounts: (Appointed by the Mayor, 
salary $7,500.) 

Civil Service Commission: (Three Commissioners ap¬ 
pointed by the Mayor; salary of first Commissioner, $6,000; 
of second and third Commissioners, $5,000 each.) 

Board of Elections: (Three Commissioners appointed 
by the Mayor. Salary $6,000 each.) 

Board of Assessors: (Three members appointed by the 
Mayor; salary $5,500 each.) 


The Legislative Department 


The Board of Aldermen 

The Board of Aldermen is the law-making body of the 
City. It is composed of seventy-three Aldermen, the 
President of the Board, and the five Borough Presidents. 

The resolutions and ordinances of the Board are passed 
by a vote of a majority of the members of the Board. 

Every resolution or ordinance, before it takes effect, must 
be presented to the Mayor for his approval. If a resolution 
or ordinance is disapproved or vetoed by him, it cannot take 
effect unless it is repassed by a two-thirds vote of all the 
members of the Board. A resolution or ordinance involving 
the expenditure of money, the creation of a debt, or the 
laying of an assessment, cannot be passed over the Mayor’s 



41 


veto except by a three-fourths vote of all the members of 
the Board. 

The President receives an annual salary of $7,500. Each 
Alderman receives an annual salary of $2,000. 

Judicial Department 
Courts 

Court of Special Sessions: The Court is composed of 
a Chief Justice and ten Associate Justices, appointed by 
the Mayor for terms of office of ten years. (Terms expire 
in various years.) The Chief Justice receives an annual 
salary of $10,000, and each Associate Justice an annual 
salary of $9,000. 

Children’s Court: There is one of these courts in each 
Borough. They are presided over by Justices designated 
by the Mayor from the Justices of the Court of Special 
Sessions. Each Justice receives an annual salary of $9,000. 

Municipal Courts: The city is divided into municipal 
court districts. A Municipal Court is held in each district 
by an allotted number of Justices who are elected by the 
voters of the district for terms of office of ten years. (Terms 
expire in various years.) Forty Justices receive an annual 
salary of $8,000, and six an annual salary of $7,000. 

City Magistrates Courts: These Courts are held by a 
Chief Magistrate and forty-one City Magistrates, who are 
appointed by the Mayor for terms of office of ten years. 
(Terms expire in various years.) The Chief Magistrate 
receives an annual salary of $10,000, and each City Magis¬ 
trate an annual salary of $7,000. 

City Court: This Court has jurisdiction in Manhattan 
and the Bronx. It is composed of ten Justices elected by 
the voters for terms of office of ten years. (Terms expire 
in various years.) Each Justice receives an annual salary 
of $12,000. 



42 


Officers of County Government 

As New York City includes within its boundaries the 
five counties of New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, and 
Richmond, there are, in addition to the regular city officers, 
certain officers for each county. Elective county officers 
are elected at General Elections by the voters of the county. 
(Terms expire in various years.) 


Officers of Ne;v York County 

District Attorney . 

Surrogate (2) . 

County Clerk. 

Register. 

Sheriff . 

Public Administrator. 

Commissioner of Records. 

Commissioner of Jurors. 



Term 

Salary 

Elected 

4 yrs. 

$15,000 

(( 

14 “ 

15,000 

(< 

4 “ 

15,000 

( f 

2 “ 

12,000 

(< 

4 “ 

12,000 

Appt. 


10,000 

i i 


5,000 

< < 


6,000 


The Court of General Sessions in New York County takes 
the place of the County Court. It is composed of seven 
Judges who are elected by the voters of the County for 
terms of office of fourteen years. (Terms expire in various 
years.) Each Judge receives an annual salary of $17,500. 


Officers of Bronx County 

County Judge. 

District Attorney. 

Surrogate. 

County Clerk. 

Register. 

Sheriff. 

Commissioner of Jurors.. 
Public Administrator.... 



Term 

Salary 

Elected 

6 yrs. 

$10,000 

< i 

4 “ 

10,000 

i « 

6 “ 

10,000 

i i 

4 “ 

10,000 

t i 

4 “ 

10,000 

< i 

4 “ 

10,000 

Appt. 


6,000 

< < 


4,000 



















Officers of Kings County 


Term 

43 

Salary 

County Judges (5). 


6 yrs. 

$10,000 

District Attorney.. 

< i 

3 “ 

10,000 

Surrogate. 

i i 

6 “ 

15,000 

County Clerk. 

11 

4 “ 

12,000 

Register. 

<1 

2 “ 

12,000 

Sheriff.. 

t i 

2 “ 

15,000 

Commissioner of Jurors.. 

. . . Appt. 


6,000 

Public Administrator. 

< i 


5,000 

Officers of Queens County 


Term 

Salary 

County Judge. 

. .Elected 

6 yrs. 

$10,000 

Surrogate. 

< t 

6 

10,000 

District Attorney. 

11 . 

3 

8,000 

County Clerk. 

c < 

3 “ 

8,000 

Sheriff. 

11 

3 

10,000 

Public Administrator. 

. . Appt. 


1,200 

Commissioner of Jurors. 

11 


3,000 

Officers of Richmond County 


Term 

Salary 

County Judge and Surrogate. . 

. .Elected 

6 yrs. 

$7,500 

District Attorney. 

< < 

3 “ 

5,000 

County Clerk. 

C ( 

3 “ 

5,000 

Sheriff. 

i l 

3 “ 

6,000 

Commissioner of Jurors. 

. . Appt. 


1,500 


) -i 
J > > 





















44 


Division VII 

CITIZENSHIP 

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States 
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the 
United States and of the State wherein they reside . . 
(Constitution, Art. XIV). 

An alien woman may become a citizen if single, widowed 
or divorced. 

Citizenship of Married Women 

An American woman who marries an alien loses her 
citizenship and takes the nationality of her husband. An 
alien woman, entitled to be naturalized, who marries a 
citizen of the United States, takes the citizenship of her 
husband without requirement of naturalization. 

The wife of an alien cannot become a citizen during the 
lifetime of her husband. 

Citizenship of Children 

A child of alien parentage, born out of the jurisdiction 
of the United States, if a minor and living within the 
United States at the time of the naturalization of his par¬ 
ents, is entitled to citizenship. 

A child born out of the jurisdiction of the United States 
is entitled to citizenship, provided his father was a citizen at 
the time of his birth. But a child is not entitled to citizen¬ 
ship if his father, though a citizen, never resided within the 
United States. 

Naturalization of Aliens 1 

An alien may be admitted to become a citizen of the 
United States by being naturalized. 2 

1 The information here contained is a brief summary of the chief regula¬ 
tions regarding naturalization. For further information see “Naturalization 
Laws and Regulations” issued by the Bureau of Naturalization, U. S. Dept, 
of Labor. 

2 Naturalization is limited to white persons and those of the African 
Race (Naturalization Laws and Regulations, Sec. 2169). Certain persons 
excluded from naturalization—see Naturalization Laws and Regulations, 
Sec. 7. 


A 



45 


An alien may not be admitted to become a citizen unless 
he or she has resided in the United States continuously for 
five years preceding admission, and unless he or she can 
speak the English language. 1 

An alien may not be admitted to become a citizen unless 
he or she is of good character and intends to support the 
principles of the Constitution of the United States. 

An alien of either sex may make application for natural¬ 
ization if over eighteen years of age, and if a resident of the 
district in which application is made. 

In the State of New York naturalization is accomplished 
in the following way : 2 

First. The applicant must go to the court authorized to 
naturalize aliens in the district in which he resides and 
must file a paper called a Declaration of Intention. This 
paper contains a statement under oath that the applicant 
intends to become a citizen of the United States, and in¬ 
tends to renounce his foreign allegiance. It also contains a 
statement of his age, occupation, personal description, place 
of birth, last foreign residence and allegiance, date of ar¬ 
rival, the name of the vessel in which he arrived, and his 
present place of residence. 

Second. Not less than two years nor more than seven 
after filing his Declaration of Intention, the applicant must 
file another paper called a Petition for Naturalization. He 
must have been a resident of the State for at least a year 
preceding the filing of this paper. It is filed at the 
Court of his district authorized to naturalize aliens. It 
contains statements somewhat similar to those in the first 
paper and sets forth that he intends to become a citizen 
of the United States, to renounce his foreign allegiance, 
and to reside permanently in the United States. This 
petition must be verified by two witnesses who are citizens 
of the United States, and who must state in their affidavits 

1 Certain exceptions to the requirement regarding the English language, 
see Naturalization Laws and Regulations, Sec. 8. 

2 These regulations apply to aliens of either sex. 



46 


that they have personally known the applicant to have been 
a resident of the United States for five years continuously 
and of the State at least one year preceding the filing of 
his petition, and that the applicant is otherwise qualified to 
become a citizen. 

Third. Not less than ninety days after filing his petition 
the applicant must be prepared to be examined as to his 
qualifications for citizenship by the Court, and must declare 
on oath that he will support the Constitution of the United 
States. 1 In addition the testimony of at least two witnesses 
who are citizens of the United is required as to the truth of 
his statements as to residence, etc. • 

The applicant is then considered naturalized, is given a 
certificate of naturalization, and is admitted to citizenship 
in the United States. 

Information regarding naturalization can be obtained at 
the Bureau of Naturalization, Hall of Records, New York 
City. 


1 The applicant should have a general knowledge of the history and 
government of the United States, and should be familiar with the Constitu¬ 
tion. Outlines of study are provided at the Bureau of Naturalization, Hall 
of Records New York City. 



Division VIII 

CHART 


47 


Public Officers Elected at the General Election 



(The General Election 

is held annually the Tuesday after 

the first Mondav in 


iNovemDer. lire lollowing is a list of Officers elected in various years.) 



Number 

When 



How 


Officers 

Elected 

Elected 

Term 

Salary 

Elected 

Presidential Electors. 

. 45 

j Quadren- 



By state- 


(New York State) 


| nially 



wide vote 

United States Senators- 2 

Preceding 

6 yrs. 

$7,500 

By state- 


(New York State) 


expiration 



wide vote 




of term of 







. office holder . 




United States 





Representatives • . . 

. 43 

Biennially ( 2 11 

7,500 

By district 


(New York State) 





vote 

State Executive 






Governor. 


11 

2 

10,000 

By state- 







wide vote 

Lieutenant-Governor 


11 

2 “ 

5,000 

(( 

Secretary of State... 


i ( 

2 “ 

6,000 

(i 

Comptroller. 


11 

2 

8,000 

i t 

Treasurer . 


(( 

2 “ 

6,000 

i i 

Attorney-General .. . 


t ( 

2 

10,000 

11 

State Engineer. 


11 

2 “ 

8,000 

(( 

State Legislative 





By district 

State Senators. 

.51 “ 

2 “ 

1,500 

vote 

Members of Assembly 150 

1 Annually 1 

' 1 ^ 

1,500 

< ( 

State Judicial 







fChief Judge of. 


Preceding ^ 

14 “ 

14,200 

By state- 

1 

(Court of Appeals) 

1 

expiration 



wide vote 


Associate Justices.. 

. 6 

of term of 

' 14 ^ 

13,700 

i L 




office holders 




Justices of. 

Allotted 

< < 

14 “ 

10,000' 

By district 


(Supreme Court) 

number 




vote 

County Officers 2 


i ( 

3 


By county 





6 


wide vote 

City Officers. 


i i 

Terms 

Some by city-wide 

(of certain cities) 



vary 

vote ; 

some by dis- 






trict vote. 


1 Justices of First and Second Districts receive a salary of $17,000. 

2 Members of the County Board of Supervisors are elected at Town Meetings. 


















49 


INDEX 

Page 

Administrative Officers, Boards and Commissions (New York 

State) . 26-27 

Administrative Departments, Boards and Commissions (New 

York City) . 37-40 

Appelate Division of the Supreme Court (New York State)... 30 

Assembly (New York State)—Election of Members. 29 

Ballot (Directions for Casting a Ballot). 11 

Ballot (Form of General Election Ballot). 10 

Ballot (Form of Primary Ballot). 18 

Ballot (Sample Ballot). 12-13 

County Officers . 32 

County Officers (Election of). 17 

Constitutional Amendments . 30 

Constitutional Convention . 31 

Court of Appeals (New York State)—Election of Judges. 30 

Children’s Court (New York City). 41 

Child Welfare Board (New York City). 39 

City Officers (Local). 32 

City Officers (New York City)—Election of. 35 

Citizenship of Children. 44 

Citizenship of Married Women. 44 

Delegates to National Party Convention (Election of). 17 

Designation of Candidates for Primary Elections. 22 

Designation (Petition for). 22 

Education Department of (New York City). 39 

Elections Held . 5 

Elections. 14 

Election (Presidential) . 14 

Elections (Held in the State of New York). 15 

Election (The General). 15 

Election of Members of Party Committees. 18 

Elections (City, Town and Village). 19 

Elections (School District Meetings). 20 

Election Districts. 10 

Election of Members of Party Committees. 18 

Election (of New York City Officers). 35 

Electors (Presidential) . 14-15 

Enrollment of Voters (Party). 9 

Fall Primary Election. 6-17 






































50 


Page 

General Elections. 5 

General Election (The). 5-15 

General Election (Public Officers Elected at). 15 

Governor (Duties; Salary). 21 

Independent Candidate (Nomination of). 22 

Independent Certificate of Nomination. 22 

Meetings for Registration. 7 

Members of The Assembly (Election of). 29 

National Party Convention (Election of Delegates). 19 

National Presidential Election. 14 

Nomination of Candidates at Fall Primary Election. 17-18 

Nomination of Party Candidates for the Presidential Election. 21 
Nomination of Party Candidates for Elective Public Offices 

in New York State. 18-21 

Nomination of Independent Candidates for Elective Public 

Offices in New York State. 22 

Naturalization (Location of New York City Bureau). 45 

Naturalized Citizens (Voting Regulations). 45 

New York State (Election of State Officers). 15-16 

New York State (Duties and Salaries of Certain State 

Officers') . 24-30 

New York City (Election of City Officers). 35 

New York City (Duties and Salaries of Certain City Officers). 36 

Official Primary Elections.. 6 

Party State Committee (Election of). 18 

Party County Committee (Election of). 18 

Party Enrollment, of Voters. 9 

Polling Places . 10 

Presidential Election. 14 

Presidential Electors (Election of). 14 

Presidential Electors (New York State). 15 

Primary Election (Official)—Definition of. 5 

Primary Election (Unofficial)—Definition of. 6 

Primary Elections (Fall and Spring). 17 

Public Officers (Elected at General Election). 15 

Qualifications of Voters. 7 

Qualifications to Vote at an Official Primary Election. 7 

Qualifications to Vote at Village Elections.. 20 

Qualifications to Vote at School District Meetings. 20 




































51 

Page 

Registration of Voters. 7 

Registration (Qualifications for Registration). 8 

Registration (Meetings for). 8 

School District Meetings. 20 

Senate (New York State) Election of Members. 29 

State Executive Officers (Election of). 15 

State Legislature (Election of Members). 16 

State Judiciary (Election of). 16 

State Commissioner of Education. 28 

Town Meetings. 19 

Town Officers . 33 

United States Senators (from New York State) Election of.. 16 
United States Representatives (from New York State) Elec¬ 
tion of . 16 

Vote (Casting a). 11 

Voters (Qualifications of). 7 

Voters (Registration of). 7 

Voters (Party Enrollment of). 9 

Village Elections . 19 

Village Officers . 34 




















ADDENDA 













